Foot restraining device



'Dec. 9, 1 969 L. D. H. WATKINS" 3,482,566

FOOT RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed June 21. 1967 INVENTOR. LLOYD D. HM/ATK \NE:

ATTORNEYS United States Patent US. Cl. 128-133 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A foot restraining device for use in sunbathing to support the feet in substantially vertical disposition for proper tanning of the legs and to protectively cover the soles of the feet to shield them from painful sunburn.

This invention relates to a device for maintaining the feet of a sunbather in a desired position without continuous conscious effort on her part. In this respect, the device is of particular advantage to a sunbather seeking proper tanning of her legs.

In seeking a suntan, it is usual for a sunbather to recline flat on her back as at the beach, thereby attaining maximum exposure of her body to the tanning rays of the sun. In order that her legs may become properly tanned while she is in this posture, it is necessary that her feet be substantially vertically disposed during her sunbath. If instead they are permitted to follow their natural tendency and splay apart, undesirable variegated tanning of the legs may result, with painful sunburn of tender inner portions of the legs also a likelihood. In addition, it is well known that sunbathing without some protection for the soles of the feet frequently results in painful sunburn thereon, thereafter making walking very uncomfortable for the sunbather.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a device for maintaining the feet of a sunbather in a desired position without continuous conscious effort on her part.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a device of the type described adapted to cover the soles of the feet of a sunbather and thereby protect them from sunburn.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a foot restraining device according to the invention as it appears when in use 'by a sunbather;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the device of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevation view of the device; and

FIGURE 4 is a rear elevation view of the device illustrating in dotted lines the position of feet supported thereby.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, a foot restraining device according to the present invention is shown in FIGURE 1 being employed by a sunbather S to maintain her feet F substantially vertically disposed while she reclines flat on her back upon a supporting surface such as a beach B.

Device 10 (FIGURE 2) includes a suitable frame 11 preferably in the form of a substantially imperforate sheet of a light weight and substantially rigid material such as foamed polystyrene, which is suitably dimensioned and shaped to protectively cover the soles of the feet of sunbather S when positioned thereon in a manner hereinafter described.

In order to mount frame 11 on a beach or similar surface in substantially vertical disposition, mounting 3,482,566 Patented Dec. 9, 1969 "ice means such as stakes 12 are suitably connected to frame 11, and extend downwardly therefrom toward penetrating engagement with the beach. Preferably, and as illustrated (FIGURE 2), a pair of stakes 12 are provided, suitably connected to opposite side edge portions of frame 11 as by frictionally engaging therewith through suitable holes 13 in substantial vertical alignment therein. The lower ends of stakes 12 may be pointed, as illustrated, to facilitate insertion thereof into beach B.

Frame 11 carries means defining a pair of heel supports 14, 14' positioned thereon in side-by-side relationship adjacent the lower edge of frame 11 for supportingly receiving the heels of sunbather S. Each heel support 14, 14' is preferably arcuate in form, with the curvature thereof opening upwardly, as shown, so that sunbather S may place her heels therewithin with comfort. The heel supports are preferably integrally molded with frame 11, or if desired they may be constructed separately from frame 11 and attached thereto.

In order to maintain the feet F of the sunbather S in substantially vertical disposition when her heels are positioned in the heel supports, opposed resilient means are carried by frame 11 and so positioned above heel supports 14, 14' as to engage distal upper side portions of the feet F of the sunbather S and maintain them substantially vertical. Preferably, and as shown, this opposed resilient means includes a pair of upwardly extending elongate members 16, 16, each pivoted at its lower end to frame 11 adjacent a corresponding one of the heel supports 14, 14', as shown at 17, 17', and spring means, such as a pair of leaf springs 20, 20 carried by frame 11, and operatively engaged with elongate members 16, 16' adjacent the upper ends thereof, for resiliently biasing members 16, 16' inwardly, e.g. toward each other. The tension of springs 20, 20' is sufficiently light to avoid discomfort to sunbather S, but sufficiently strong to maintain her feet F in the substantially vertical dis position desired.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that when sunbather S has properly placed her feet on the device 10 in the described position, frame 11 protectively covers the soles of her feet, shielding them from possible painful sunburn.

If desired, and as illustrated, the front surface of frame 11 may be decorated, as shown in FIGURE 3, to provide an attractive appearance thereto.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a foot restraining device for maintaining the feet of a reclining sunbather in a desired substantially vertical disposition, which device is light weight and readily portable, is simple in construction and substantially inexpensive, and is effective in performance.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims:

I claim:

1. A foot restraining device for use by a sunbather in supporting her feet in a substantially vertical disposition While she is reclining upon her back, said device comprising a frame adapted to be engaged by the soles of the feet of the sunbather,

means for mounting said frame in substantially vertical disposition,

means adjacent the lower portion of said frame defining a pair of side-by-side heel supports for reception of the heels of the sunbather, and

spaced apart means carried by said frame and posi- "upper side portions of'the fee'tofthe sunbather' for F restraining the same against outward splaying apart movement.

2. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a substantially imperforate sheet of substantially rigid material for protectively covering the soles of feet positioned in said heel supports.

3. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a pair of stakes in frictional engagement with opposite side edge portions of said frame and adapted to extend downwardly from said frame into penetrating engagement with the ground.

4. A foot restraining device for use by a sunbather in supporting her feet in a substantially vertical disposition while she is reclining upon her back, said device comprising a frame,

mounting means connected to said frame for maintaining the same substantially vertical,

means adjacent the lower portion of said frame defining a pair of side-by-side heel supports for reception of the heels of the sunbather, and

opposing resilient means carried by said frame and v I 4 r U so positioned above said heel supportsasto engage distal uppe fside portions of the feet of the sunbather for urging the same towards each other and into a substantially vertical disposition.

5. A structure according to claim 4, wherein said opposing resilient means includes a pair of upwardly extending elongate members each pivoted at the lower end thereof to said frame adjacent a corresponding one of said heel supports, and spring means carried by said frame and operatively engaged with said elongate members for resiliently biasing the same toward each other.

6. A structure according to claim 5, wherein said spring means comprises leaf springs engaging said elongate members adjacent the upper ends thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1967 Arp 128-133 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner 3 

